Lebanese Shiite Muslims commemorate Ashoura in Beirut

The Day of Ashoura commemorates the 7th century killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, in the Battle of Karbala, in central Iraq. According to Sunni Muslim tradition, Muhammad fasted on this day and asked other people to fast. Mourners slit open their heads with swords, big knives and razor blades streaming their blood to signify their grief over the martyrdom of Imam Al-Hussein.